The Windmill Hotel Parbold

Today we went to the Windmill Hotel in Parbold for lunch. Sadly I was without the official beer taster so no beer reviews today. But I can say that the food was very good and reasonably priced too. My gammon was lovely, but the burgers looked pretty good too. Its just a shame we had to eat it in the back yard (our fault for bringing a spaniel with us). From what I saw of the inside it is lovely and I hope to go back soon and try some of the beers they had on tap. 

Review the Windmill yourself at www.towpathtreks.co.uk 

Canal Walk: Parbold to Dean Locks

Just a short walk from Parbold up to Dean Locks and back today. We managed to squeeze into the car park by Parbold Bridge. The towpath was muddy and slippy but popular with cyclists and walkers. There were few signs of Spring on the towpath, just some catkins and the odd pair of mallards. 

We walked up to Dean Locks where a restaurant boat was waiting to lock up. Two boats were coming down. The other lock is still closed and now has a sunken maintenance boat, Cornwall, next to it. 

As we turned around to walk back the drizzle started. At Appley Locks I walked down to the top one of the two smaller locks. The whole area is now fenced off and in a poor state. 
The drizzle continued as we walked back. 

Canal Cruise Parbold to Scarisbrick 6.5 miles

Today I was press-ganged into the crew of the Albatross to help with the swing bridges. We were moving the boat from Parbold to Scarisbrick. In a couple of weeks the Albatross will be going to Liverpool and down to Albert Dock via the new canal.

There were plenty of boats on the move, the new canal linking the docks in Liverpool seems to be bringing boats to this quiet stretch of canal.


The swing bridges are easy as long as you read the instructions! We did have to wait while I slowly remembered to hold the button down rather than just press it. The worst bridge is the one by the Slipway. It really should be replaced with an electric one. The best bridge is Glovers Swing Bridge which even puts the barriers down for you and has traffic lights!

The weather wasnt so great, windy and a bit chilly but by the time we got to Scarisbrick the sun had come out and it was warm enough to take a couple of layers off.

Its been 10 years since I sailed on this stretch of canal and 20 years since Albatross was last in these waters. It was nice to be back on the water and great to see so many boats on the move.